Madeline Bell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Madeline Bell
|
|
|---|---|
Bell on stage in 2016
|
|
| Background information | |
| Born | July 23, 1942 Newark, New Jersey, U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
| Genres | Soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1965–present |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | Sandpebbles Dusty Springfield, Blue Mink, Ashman-Reynolds, Spike Edney's All Star Band (S.A.S.), Bradford Singers |
Madeline Bell is an American soul singer. She was born on July 23, 1942. She became well-known in the UK during the 1960s and 1970s. She was part of the pop group Blue Mink. Madeline first came to the United States in 1962 with a gospel show called Black Nativity. She was singing with a group called the Bradford Singers.
Contents
Madeline Bell's Early Life and Music Career
Madeline Bell was born in Newark, New Jersey, in the United States. She started her career as a session singer. This means she sang backup for other artists. She notably sang for famous singers like Dusty Springfield and Donna Summer.
Her first big solo song was a cover of "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me" by Dee Dee Warwick. Madeline's version actually did better on the US Billboard Hot 100 music chart than the original song.
Singing with Other Artists
In 1968, Madeline sang background and duet parts on songs by Serge Gainsbourg. These included "Comic Strip" and "Ford Mustang." In 1969, she added her voice to the Rolling Stones song "You Can't Always Get What You Want." She also sang backup for Donovan on his 1969 hit song "Barabajagal." This song was recorded with The Jeff Beck Group.
Madeline also sang backup on Joe Cocker's "Bye Bye Blackbird" in 1969. This song featured a guitar solo by Jimmy Page, who later became famous with Led Zeppelin. Her version of Paul McCartney's "Step Inside Love" was also a small hit in the US in 1969.
Joining Blue Mink
Madeline Bell joined the pop group Blue Mink in late 1969. With Blue Mink, she had several Top 20 hit songs in the UK. Some of their popular songs included "Melting Pot", "Our World", "Randy", and "Banner Man". Other hits were "Good Morning Freedom", "Sunday", and "Stay with Me".
Before joining Blue Mink, Madeline sang solo. Her cover of "Picture Me Gone" is still a favorite song for fans of Northern Soul music today. Another popular song from 1968 was "What Am I Supposed to Do". This song was co-written with John Paul Jones, who later joined Led Zeppelin. At that time, he was a very busy bass player in London.
Television and Movie Work
In 1973, Madeline Bell hosted a BBC television show called Colour My Soul. It aired on BBC Two and ran for nine episodes until 1974. Famous guests on the show included John Paul Jones.
John Paul Jones later helped Madeline with her 1973 album, Comin' Atcha. He arranged, produced, and recorded the album. Madeline also sang for the soundtrack of the movie A Touch of Class in 1973. She provided backup vocals for Elton John's 1972 album, Honky Chateau.
More Collaborations and Later Career
Madeline continued to sing backup for many other artists. In 1975, she performed with Sunny and Sue at the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden. They sang backup for the German entry "Ein Lied kann eine Brücke sein". She also worked with Kiki Dee and Lesley Duncan.
In 1976, she sang backing vocals on We Can't Go on Meeting Like This by the band Hummingbird. That same year, she also sang on Ramshackled, the solo album by Yes drummer Alan White.
Madeline also became the lead singer for the French disco group Space. She sang lead vocals on two of their albums. One of their songs, "Save Your Love For Me" from 1978, was very popular in many countries. She also sang backup for another French artist, Cerrone. Madeline also appeared on Giorgio Moroder's 1979 album, E=MC².
Since the 1970s, Madeline Bell has continued to sing solo. She has also performed in many stage shows. She lives in Spain. Her husband, drummer Barry Reeves, passed away in 2010. Madeline regularly tours Europe, singing jazz and popular songs. In 1982, she added background vocals to the fantasy film Alicja. She worked with John Paul Jones again in 1985, singing two songs for the soundtrack album Scream for Help.
Madeline Bell's voice was also used in commercials. She sang for a tea brand called Brooke Bond D in the 1980s. She also provided vocals for the jingles of British Gas' "Wonderfuel Gas" campaign, which started in 1982.
Madeline Bell's Solo Albums
- 1967: Bell's a Poppin' (later re-released as I'm Gonna Make You Love Me)
- 1968: Doin' Things
- 1971: Madeline Bell
- 1973: Comin' Atcha
- 1976: This Is One Girl
- 1988: Beat out That Rhythm on a Drum
- 1992: City Life (with Georgie Fame)
- 1993: Madeline
- 1993: Have You Met Miss Bell
- 1995: Girl Talk
- 1995: Christmas Card
- 1998: Yes I Can: A Melting Pot
- 2000: Blessed
- 2004: Blue Christmas
- 2011: Tribute to Ray Charles
- 2013: Together Again with David Martin
- 2014: Singer: The Musical
Albums with Space
Madeline Bell provided lead vocals on these albums by the French disco group Space:
- 1977: Magic Fly
- 1977: Deliverance
- 1978: Just Blue
- 2011: From Earth To Mars
See also
In Spanish: Madeline Bell para niños
